Andrew Auger

Andrew Auger was born in Staten Island, New York, and grew up in Hamilton, New Jersey, just a few miles from the state capital Trenton. He is a member of the Class of 2017 with a major in Journalism.

How did you decide on your major?
I’m a Journalism major with a minor in Cinema Studies. I love writing, whether it be creative, analytical, or critical. Reporting and news writing play well into those strengths, and it’s always been a field I feel like I could thrive within. The news is always changing, therefore working the job of the journalist is always shifting as well. My dream job for years has been to work as a film critic for a major publication. I’ve obsessively loved movies since I was little, and a big part of my extracurricular time is spent watching movies and writing about them. In 2016, I saw over 150 films that were released! I think everyone wants to find a mixture of their strengths and passions, and my choice of study was decided upon with that kind of ambition in mind.

What was your favorite part about the Marist experience?
One of my professors during my freshman year described what makes Marist so special more eloquently and succinctly than I ever could. She said, “Marist is one of the only schools where people will wait multiple seconds to hold doors open for you even if you’re a good distance away from it.” That really speaks to the atmosphere of the campus. The sheer amount of good, genuine, talented people who go to this school and work at this school is just astounding to me. It’s really a testament to the whole community that Marist students never want to leave. There’s something special in this Hudson Valley air.

Did you participate in any noteworthy extracurriculars?
I spent four years as an integral member of Marist College Television, two of them as the President of the club. We’re a student-run online television station who get together every weeknight and produce a show from scratch in a state-of-the-art studio. Marist has provided us with tools and equipment that major networks like NBC, ABC, and CBS use routinely, and I’ve been lucky enough to teach and lead a team of extraordinarily talented young individuals and show them what it takes to put together a news show or a late night show (and so on and so forth). Even more exciting, I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of hosting a film review show called The Middle Seats for 3.5 years with one of my freshman year roommates Jake Hensler.

What did you do for fun or in your free time?
When I’m not watching movies or working in the studios, I can usually be found somewhere throughout Lowell Thomas (I basically have lived in the building since sophomore year) or hanging out with friends throughout campus. This school has given me a great opportunity to meet a wide range of people. The freedom of college is really felt when you can just pop in on your friends at any time and say hello. The campus is a perfect size; you don’t know everyone but you see a lot of familiar faces.

What are your plans for after graduation?
As of right now, I’m just headed home. The job application process has been long and grueling, but that’s to be expected in such a competitive field. I know a lot of my fellow seniors are confident that we’ve done everything we can to set ourselves up for success. (So if you know anyone, HIRE ME!!)

Any advice for high school seniors coming to Marist?
Try everything. In high school, I was a slightly timid kid. There was nothing wrong with that, but I felt like I missed out on a lot. Here, I took a lot more chances. I talked to people that I wouldn’t have normally talked to, I asked questions I would’ve never asked before, and I stepped outside of my comfort zone to take the lead on projects and shoots that I never in a million years would’ve had the confidence to step up and do. There’s a snowball effect when you take these chances, and doors and opportunities open up for you that you would never imagine. People are going to keep saying, “make the most of these four years.” I agree with that, but don’t overwhelm yourself; just take it one step at a time. Push yourself a little, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.